Tottenham 1 - Chelsea 5: Spurs left s-Marting at errors

Spurs were the victims of a shocking decision by referee Martin Atkinson, the ref who ‘saw’ last Sunday’s horror tackle by Manchester City’s Mario Balotelli on Alex Song of Arsenal but did nothing about it

The Blues have never lost in the last four of the Cup at the new stadium. Poor Spurs have been defeated in six in a row now.

But that tells only half the story of a pulsating clash.

Spurs were the victims of a shocking decision by referee Martin Atkinson, the ref who ‘saw’ last Sunday’s horror tackle by Manchester City’s Mario Balotelli on Alex Song of Arsenal but did nothing about it.

This time he awarded a goal that never was for Chelsea to put them 2-0 up and he also failed to punish keeper Petr Cech for what arguably was a red-card challenge soon after.

John Obi Mikel should also have been sent off late on for kicking Scott Parker, but escaped with just a caution.

It was all so tough on Tottenham, whose season is in danger of crumbling.

How much that is down to boss Harry Redknapp being linked so strongly with taking charge of England cannot be proven. But just three wins out of the last 12 suggest all is not right at the club.

In contrast, Chelsea caretaker boss Roberto Di Matteo, is having a wonderful time and this victory was the perfect preparation for the visit of Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday.

There was no hint of the goalfest to come at the start, which was far from compelling.

In the 37th minute Spurs came close to scoring. Emmanuel Adebayor’s cross was flicked on by Rafael van der Vaart to Aaron Lennon.

He played it straight back to the ­Dutchman, whose close-range header was kept out by the knee of a perfectly-placed John Terry on the line.

Three minutes later the Blues were even more fortunate. Van der Vaart’s floated ball looked perfect for Adebayor to flick in, but he missed it and it struck Cech’s right-hand post.

It was to prove costly as three ­minutes later Didier Drogba scored a stunning opener.

Frank Lampard sent a high ball straight down the middle and Drogba collected it with his back to ex-Chelsea star William Gallas.

Using his powerful physique, he turned the Frenchman and then lashed a wonderful left-foot half-­volley past Carlo Cudicini.

It was Drogba’s seventh goal in seven games at Wembley and by far the most magnificent.

Chelsea, not surprisingly, started brightly after the break and in the 48th minute Juan Mata’s left-foot drive was kept out by Cudicini.

From Lampard’s corner came the controversial goal, which will be shown over and over again like Geoff Hurst’s one for England at the other end in the 1966 World Cup Final against Germany.

Cudicini did well to push away a David Luiz header, but then Mata followed up.

With a bundle of players on the line, including Ledley King, Assou-Ekotto and Terry, Mata’s shot could not have crossed the line.

Replays showed it hit Terry’s foot and then bounced off Assou-Ekotto.

But referee Atkinson awarded the goal in the 49th minute, much to the disbelief and disgust of Tottenham.

Spurs hit back in the 56th minute. Parker’s ball straight through the heart of the Chelsea defence saw Adebayor outstrip Luiz, who pulled up injured.

The Togo star went round Cech, but was brought down by the keeper diving across him.

Bale was on the overlap, though, and tapped in, although, bizarrely, Atkinson did not even book Cech, with the fourth official telling the Spurs bench that could only happen if the keeper was guilty of violent conduct.

Drobga might have poked home when Cudicini was slow off his line, but failed to get a strong enough contact, much to his despair.

Having hit winners in three Cup Finals at Wembley, he must be eagerly looking forward to taking on Liverpool. But in the 77th minute Chelsea did get their third.

Mata’s marvellous ball with the outside of his right boot was perfect for Ramires to run on to, getting in behind Assou- Ekotto.

The Brazilian was coolness personified, simply flicking the ball over the ­onrushing Cudicini.

In the 81st minute Lampard scored a spectacular fourth. For once, he was allowed to take a long-range free-kick, instead of Drogba, and from fully 30 yards he sent it swerving away to the left of Cudicini and into the corner.

Brad Friedel, surprisingly omitted by Redknapp, must have been thinking he might have done better with it than the former Chelsea keeper.

Florent Malouda scored in stoppage-time with Mata again the provider with another class flicked pass which allowed the Frenchman time to stroke home.

Parker, another former Chelsea player, had to be restrained in stoppage-time, with Terry and then Gary Cahill grabbing him after he was kicked on the back of his legs by Mikel.

Both Parker and Mikel were booked. It was another mistake by Atkinson, who can forget about getting the nod for the final on May 5.